WECK-AM/FM will start broadcasting on its second FM frequency in the spring. The Federal Communications Commission granted WECK-FM the additional frequency of 100.5FM, which will cover the Buffalo Northtowns, in addition to the current 102.9FM frequency, which covers the Southtowns. The station’s 1230AM frequency covers all of the Buffalo Metro area.

According to Buddy Shula, owner of WECK-AM/FM, the frequency was granted to that station as a part of the AM Revitalization Project, an initiative from the FCC. “It will be great to have the WECK brand and all associated content on FM covering the entire metro,” Shula said.

He expects that the frequency will be in operation by mid-April.

WBFO-FM is beefing up the staff with two new hires including Nick Lippa and broadcasting veteran Sandy White.

Lippa (left), will transition to a full-time role with the station in early February, is currently hosting weekend programing on the NPR affiliate and assisting with general reporting. In his new role, he will continue to serve as news anchor, reporter, and host of “Nick’s Flix” on WNED-FM. Lippa is a former WBFO intern and is a graduate of Buffalo State College.

The station is also bringing back longtime journalist Sandy White (right) to the Buffalo broadcasting landscape as the lead reporter for the Seniors News Desk. The grant for this sponsored news desk is coming from the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York. The two-year grant will provide $20,000 per year to the initiative.

According to Current, the public media trade publication, WBFO will be expected to provide 50 on-air news reports during that time. “There are so many issues facing seniors – healthcare trends, retirement living, working during retirement, financial planning/security, transportation, exercise, nutrition, courtship, and leveraging technology,” said Brian Meyer, News Director at WBFO, in a statement. “Our coverage will cast a spotlight on senior issues in a way that will educate, engage and entertain our radio and digital audiences.”

Sandy White has worked across the country at KNBC-TV, KCOP-TV, BET and spent over 15 years at WIVB-TV and WGRZ-TV combined where she worked alongside Rich Newberg and Les Trent. In her time outside of broadcasting, she started the Mustard Seed World Consulting Group.

Miranda Ruckdeschel and Marybeth Calabrese have both left WGRZ-TV, the NBC affiliate. Ruckdeschel was in her second stint with the station and worked with the station from 2013 to 2016. She had previously worked at then YNN Buffalo and WKBW-TV as the morning show producer.
Calabrese, who joined the station less than one year ago from WHEC-TV in Rochester, has left the station to pursue other opportunities outside of broadcasting. She is a Western New York native and is an alumna of Buffalo State College.

In a move announced by owner Buddy Shula, Joe Chille, longtime morning host and operations manager at WJYE-FM (now WMSX-FM), will host the afternoon drive on WECK-FM from 3 to 7 p.m. from Monday to Thursday. The 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee takes over for Mike Jacobs, who moves to more duties behind-the-scenes and will continue to host weekends. Chille will begin his duties on Monday, January 22. Danny Neaverth will continue hosting Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m.

One of the most recognizable names in Buffalo broadcasting has passed away. Former WKBW-TV anchor Irv Weinstein died after a long battle with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) on Tuesday afternoon. He was 87 years old.

WIVB-TV was the first station in the market to launch a 4 p.m. and now they will be the first to launch a 6:30 p.m. newscast airing on its sister station, WNLO-TV. The station had been airing promos for the new newscast, which will begin on Monday, January 15, 2018.

Two well-known local broadcasters will serve on the Buffalo Broadcasters Association’s Board of Directors beginning in January. Elizabeth Carey from AAA and formerly of WKBW-TV/Business First and Jim Pastrick of Townsquare Media will begin three-year terms in helping to further the organization’s mission, programs, and projects.

In a tweet yesterday afternoon, WGRZ-TV sports anchor and reporter Jonah Javad announced that he would be leaving the station on February 20, 2018. Javad is staying within TEGNA and will be headed off to WFAA-TV in Dallas, Texas, the fifth largest television market in the country, as a sports reporter and fill-in anchor.